Foundations of Sustainable Fashion

This unit introduces core concepts of sustainability in the fashion industry and develops practical consumer skills for extending garment life, reducing waste, and making informed purchasing decisions. It consolidates foundational knowledge and consumer practices that prepare students for subsequent units on sustainable product design, business practices, and marketing strategies.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the environmental, social, and economic principles of sustainability as they apply to the fashion industry and consumer behavior
• Evaluate a personal wardrobe to identify fast-fashion items, calculate their real cost (financial, environmental, and social), and prioritize items for repair, reuse, donation, or replacement
• Apply sustainable shopping and care strategies—including secondhand sourcing, mindful purchasing, laundering for longevity, mending, and proper donation—to extend garment life and reduce waste
• Demonstrate the ability to research and compare sustainable brands and business practices and recommend actionable changes for consumers and retail operations